The drummer who led the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, a job that he inherited from his father, and hosted a rowdy morning program on WWOZ 90.7 FM, died after a year-long stay in a long-term assistance facility.
Though his career as a musician spanned decades, French, who hailed from one of New Orleans’ dynastic musical families, may have been best known in the larger community for his long stint on WWOZ, the community radio station that is owned by the Jazz and Heritage Foundation, and promotes local sounds.
From his bully pulpit behind the console at the beloved station, he railed against the forces that marginalize musicians, championed his own favorite players, and unstintingly stood up for the local music community. He even played records.
French’s unsparing tirades and animated personality alienated some listeners but left others enthralled by his unwillingness to compromise, and by his deep knowledge of New Orleans music and New Orleans musicians. He was the last of an early breed of quirky programmers, which included the likes of Ernie K-Doe, Ready Teddy and DJ Tootie, on a station that has gradually become more homogenized. In the past, many of the programmers on WWOZ were local characters before they became deejays. Now, individuals seem to become deejays while aspiring to become personalities.
French was destined to become a New Orleans musical icon. His father, Albert “Papa” French, led the Young Tuxedo for decades. The elder French inherited the position from Oscar “Papa” Celestin who founded the group in 1910. Bob French never hesitated to inform audiences at numerous clubs around town that the Young Tuxedo was the oldest continuously existing jazz band in the city.
Despite his often-cantankerous and idiosyncratic personality, French was devoted to Traditional Jazz, a style he didn’t play in his youth. He preferred Rhythm and Blues, the more popular music at the time, and only began playing Trad after being recruited by his father to sub in the Trad group.
Bob French mentored dozens of younger artists including trumpeters Shamarr Allen, Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown and singer Tricia “Sista Teedy” Boutte. Up-and-coming musicians were always welcome to sit in on his bandstand, particularly at his regular Monday gigs at Donna’s Bar and Grill and then Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, assuming they came properly dressed and musically prepared.
He was also well-respected by an earlier generation of young artists, including saxophonist Branford Marsalis and pianist/vocalist Harry Connick, Jr. Both appeared on French’s final recording, Marsalis Music Honors Series: Bob French.
French is survived by four children; two brothers, bassist and vocalist George and Albert; and his nephew Gerald French, a drummer who took over the Young Tuxedo Jazz Band last summer when Bob French became ill.
